Former Top QB Prospect Projected to Land with Carolina Panthers

ESPN analyst sees Clemson's Cade Klubnik as ideal late-round backup for Bryce Young

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:00am

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ESPN NFL writer Ben Solak has projected that the Carolina Panthers will select former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Solak believes Klubnik, a one-time top recruit, would be a good fit as a backup to Panthers starter Bryce Young, providing a similar playing style and benefiting from the coaching of head coach Dave Canales.

Why it matters

The Panthers have a need at the quarterback position behind Young, with only Kenny Pickett currently on the roster. Adding a developmental prospect like Klubnik in the later rounds could provide valuable depth and competition at the position.

The details

Klubnik, a 6'2", 207-pound signal-caller, is coming off a somewhat disappointing 2025 season at Clemson after a breakout 2024 campaign. However, Solak believes Klubnik's strengths, including his deep ball accuracy and ability to make "give a receiver a chance" throws, could make him an ideal fit as a backup to Young in Carolina's offense. The analyst also noted that head coach Dave Canales has a history of helping quarterbacks improve their timing and anticipation, which could benefit Klubnik as a rookie.

  • Klubnik played for Clemson in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The players

Cade Klubnik

A 6'2", 207-pound quarterback who played at Clemson University, where he had a breakout 2024 season before a more inconsistent 2025 campaign.

Bryce Young

The starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, who is entering his third NFL season in 2026.

Kenny Pickett

The current backup quarterback for the Carolina Panthers behind Bryce Young.

Dave Canales

The head coach of the Carolina Panthers, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks and improve their timing and anticipation.

Dan Morgan

The general manager of the Carolina Panthers, who will have seven picks at his disposal in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“The Panthers traded away their longtime QB2 and valuable spot starter Andy Dalton this past offseason, leaving only Kenny Pickett behind Bryce Young. As such, I could see them adding a QB2 candidate much earlier than the sixth round. But I'll stick with the late-drafted, (relatively) local kid in Clemson product Klubnik.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN NFL writer

“An ex-five-star recruit, Klubnik has a great arm with solid throwing mechanics. His best throws come on his deep ball, which he can also deliver well on the move, and his quick up-field stride takes a lot of linebackers by surprise. Klubnik is a classic 'give a receiver a chance' sort of quarterback—he'll hang a lot of catchable balls on high trajectory throws, and his accuracy falls off when forced to drive breaking routes between windows.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN NFL writer

“Struggles with timing and anticipation have marred Klubnik's film at times, but coach Dave Canales has historically succeeded at getting quarterbacks (Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield) to play a quicker brand of football. The marriage could work for Klubnik as a rookie contract backup.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN NFL writer

What’s next

The Panthers will have the opportunity to select Klubnik, or any other quarterback they deem a good fit, when they are on the clock with the 200th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Panthers are in need of a developmental quarterback to serve as the primary backup to Bryce Young, and ESPN's Ben Solak believes Clemson's Cade Klubnik could be an ideal late-round target. Klubnik's playing style and potential to improve under the tutelage of head coach Dave Canales make him an intriguing option for Carolina to consider on Day 3 of the draft.